Dimebag Darrell Killed Onstage

Photo by Jarrod Vrazel : zrock.com (Houston, TX April 20, 2004)

Damageplan / Pantera guitarist Dimebag Darrell is dead following a bizarre shooting during a Damageplan concert in Columbus, Ohio on Wednesday night. Five people including Dimebag were killed and two people were injured.

One witness said that a man jumped onto the stage during the first song of the group’s set and began firing a gun. The gunman fired several shots at the band before being tackled by club security. One of the survivors is in critical condition at a local hospital, while another is in fair condition. Several others were treated at the scene, suffering from various injuries.

Scoop of The Blitz 99.7 FM confirmed to Blabbermouth.net that Damageplan drummer Vinnie Paul was uninjured in the shooting incident. According to Scoop, Vinnie was in a complete state of shock and expressed his desire to be with his brother right after the shooting occurred.

Dimebag Darrell, real name Darrell Lance Abbott, formed the legendary heavy metal group Pantera in 1982 with his brother Vinnie Paul on drums and bassist Rex Smith. Vinnie is also a member of Damageplan. Their glam metal days changed in 1990 with their major label debut (5th album in total and 2nd with new singer Phil Anselmo). Cowboys From Hell spurred the sound that would change the shape of modern metal.

Pantera disbanded in 2003, years after they had released any new material. Soon after the demise of Pantera, Dimebag and his brother formed the more nu-metal focused Damageplan (that still featured Dimebag’s signature guitar tone).

As news of Dimebag’s bizarre and tragic demise rippled through the metal community, the news was met with shock and sadness — reports MTV.

I’m speechless, former Rob Zombie / Ozzy Osbourne bassist Rob Blasko Nicholson said. This is totally unreal. Dimebag is a fucking legend and this is total bullshit.

This is insane and this is beyond travesty, Killswitch Engage frontman and former Damageplan tour partner Howard Jones said. This is beyond anything I’ve ever heard. This shouldn’t happen in or outside of the rock and metal community. He will be missed and mourned as a person, as a musician, and as a friend.

M tley Cr e bassist Nikki Sixx offered the following: ’dime, I will never forget all the times you made us laugh. I’m so happy we got to spend the day together in London recently… We should all live our lives as full as you have. I will miss you, as will all of us… This is a sad day.

RIP Dimebag Darrell.

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Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine has issued the following statement regarding the death of Damageplan guitarist Dimebag Darrell:

There is nothing unique or clever to this post, and what I want to say has no doubt already been said throughout the metal community, by countless others whom were more closer to Darrell than me by now.

However, knowing he was murdered tonight, I wish to thank and remember Darrell for his amazing life and the gift that he shared with me and so many other fortunates.

I pray for Darrell’s family and friends; specifically for their healing, their peace, and their understanding of this tragedy in this time of need.

I send my deepest heartfelt condolences to the Abbott family, to Darrell’s friends, and to the fantastic Pantera and Damageplan fans around the world.

We must never forget his life, and his gifts, his genius, his terrific personallity, and the legacy he left behind to remember him by.

’darrell, I will see you in heaven and I, like so many more, love you brother.

You will be missed.

Iced Earth singer Tim Ripper Owens (formerly of Judas Priest) on the death of Dimebag Darrell:

Hey, wanted to say that Dime was a great guy and amazing guitarist! He will really be missed! He made me laugh when he would see me backstage and sing out Ripper in a high note with some melody he had made up! He and his brother always gave me respect. I knew how much of a fan he was of Judas Priest and Rob [Halford], so the respect meant a lot! And all the rumors about him and I working together where the best rumors I’d ever heard about me! I always wanted to work with Darrell and was always waiting for that phone call! Dimebag, we love ya bro and you will be missed!

I’m absolutely beside myself with grief. I can’t for the life of me understand why someone would do this, said Ozzy Osbourne, who often toured with Pantera.

Mark Hunter, lead singer of Chimaira, said Dimebag changed the way metal music was written with his guitar playing. I don’t know anybody in a band who hasn’t stolen a few guitar riffs from him.

Dallas Stars Stanley Cup Victory Parade

June 21, 1999

Dimebag and his brother Vinnie Paul were the driving force behind the Dallas Stars official theme song played at Stars home games during the Stanley Cup run in 1999.

Official statements from the Dallas Stars on the passing of Darrell Abbott:

Dallas Stars President Jim Lites: The Dallas Stars would like to pass along our condolences and sympathies to the family of Darrell Abbott. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the victims of this attack and hope that all of the injured make a full recovery. We know the Abbotts as passionate hockey fans and consider them good friends of the Dallas Stars.

Two of the Abbotts closest friends on the 1999 Stanley Cup Dallas Stars team were Craig Ludwig and Guy Carbonneau.

Former Stars Defenseman Craig Ludwig:’dime was a great friend and an incredible person. He and Vinnie Paul loved what they did and loved the fans. They had a wonderful passion for their work and for the Dallas Stars. They were behind us 110%. They weren’t just hockey fans, they were friends of the entire team. Dime will be missed very much.

Stars Assistant General Manager Guy Carbonneau: I’d like to pass along my thoughts and prayers to these special friends who are a big part of the Dallas Stars family. I was horrified to hear the news of last night’s events and it never ceases to amaze me how hurtful and violent people can be. My condolences go out to the family and I wish all of those involved a speedy recovery.

Slipknot’s Corey Taylor: He could take a riff that would take somebody a year to master and he could rip it off in seconds. He made everything look like he was playing Smoke on the Water with one finger.

He was one of the coolest people I’ve ever met. The guy just loved to laugh and he loved to make you laugh. And he loved to make you do something that you would never do in a million years. He was a guy that lived in the moment. His philosophy was, Let’s do something that is gonna make us remember tonight for the rest of our lives. And that’s something I’m gonna fucking miss for the rest of mine.

Anthrax’s Scott Ian: After Eddie Van Halen, you had Dimebag Darrell. He was the next guy that came along and did something as original and important on guitar.

He’s the type of guy that would do anything for his friends. He really did put his family and his friends first, and for him everyone was his family. Once you came into contact with Dimebag and became friends with that guy, it was a sacred bond. Once you shared drinks with that guy, you became a part of his extended family.

Life of Agony: Today is a sad day for music. Life of Agony are extremely distraught over last night’s insane tragedy which took the life of Damageplan’s Dimebag Darrell. The band’s hearts go out to the Abbott family as well as the entire Damageplan camp. Dime, you will never be forgotten. We are all just speechless over here.

Hatebreed: Right now, we like so many are in complete disbelief and shock at the horrific murder of our friend, hero and brother Dimebag Darrell.

Our deepest and most sincere condolences to Rita, Vinnie and all of his bandmates, family and friends. May our love and prayers be with you in this horrible time.

’dime was one of the most amazing, generous, talented, funny, charismatic and caring people we have ever met. Some of the greatest times of our lives were spent with him and we will never forget his zest for life and generosity. Thank you, Dime. The world will never be the same without you. Your contributions to music and to all of our lives are invaluable and will never be forgotten. We love you bro.

Today we mourn with all of the Pantera and Damageplan fans around the world but tonight we are gonna play our asses off like Dime would have wanted us to!

Opeth: The members of Opeth want to express their shock and sorrow in light of the recent tragic death of Pantera / Damageplan guitarist Dimebag Darrell. Condolences goes out to his family and especially his brother Vinne Paul who we hear is wounded but alive. We hope for a swift recovery. Things like this should not happen!

Ministry: Ministry would like to like extend our deepest condolences to Darrell’s friends and family and the friends and families of others who were killed or injured last night.

Several members of Ministry were very close with Darrell and we are deeply saddened by the loss of this great artist.

Rich Ward (Fozzy, Stuck Mojo): ’darrell was as nice as they come. During the times that I spent with him, I wondered why he played in such a heavy band. Not that he didn’t have the ability to school all of us that dared to share a stage with him, but because he seemed like such a gentle and kind man. He had a great sense of humor and was someone that everyone in the room gravitated toward. He never carried himself like the big rock star that he really was, instead he came across humble and appreciative. I consider it a privilege to have known him, as he was one of the ’real guys in the business and as Zakk [Wylde] would say, one of the boys !

Shaun Glass (Soil): Today I am saddened to say I lost my friend and hero it sickens me that someone would take away a person that brought so much joy to so many people. Love ya, Double D.

Sepultura: ’dimebag was an excellent musician and a good friend, a fucking great partner in memorable tours. We ll miss him very much. Our condolences to the Abbott family.

Machine Head: Machine Head are devastated by the horrific news. Our deepest sympathy and condolences to the Abbott family, Damageplan and former members of Pantera. Our thoughts are with you all.

Jon Dette (ex-Slayer, Testament): My brother just called to tell me that Dimebag Darrell was shot and killed on stage tonight. Words cannot express the sadness I’m feeling right now and my condolences go out to Vinnie Paul and the Abbott family for their loss. This is a huge tragedy for the music world.

Orange County, California-based sextet Bleed The Sky (recently signed to Nuclear Blast Records): It’s a sad day in heavy metal, Dimebag Darrell formerly of Pantera, was shot and killed while performing with Damageplan in Ohio. We would more than likely not be a band if it wasn’t for him, and can’t possibly imagine the pain that his brother and his family must be in. RIP, brother, heavy music will never be the same without you.

Trivium’s Matt Heafy: There’s nothing that hasn’t already been said or felt about this recent tragedy regarding Dimebag Darrell. All I can say is that Dimebag was one of the most influential musicians in our time. Legends aren’t something we can pick and choose and they aren’t here in vast numbers Dime was a man who helped inspire countless numbers of players, fans, and people in general, a legend who really made the world seem that much better. Everyone I know who has met Dime says he was really nothing short of one of the nicest people they’d ever met, that he was a humble fun-loving metal head. But now Dimebag Darrell: a son, a brother, an idol, a musician, a fellow man… has been taken from us. It’s a terrifying feeling that now at concerts, our very release from the everyday world we each seek out to escape from, our heroes are being murdered. My heart goes out to the Abbott family: Dimebag Darrell Abbott was a man of legendary and heroic status, but before all that Darrell was and always will be a brother and a son; we all mourn today.

Quiet Riot’s Frankie Banali: This is so wrong. Darrel was one of the nicest people in music and a great guitarist. He was always great to me each time we saw each other, as was Vinnie. Such a waste and so disturbing. My thoughts and prayers are with Darrel and my sincerest sympathy to Darrel’s family, loved ones and all of his fans and the fans of Pantera and Damageplan. No one deserves a violent death, and certainly not Darrel. God bless him.

(Thanks: MTV.com)

Atlantic Records has issued the following statement:

We are shocked and saddened by last night’s horrible and senseless shootings. This is a tragic day for the music community, and our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims, their families, and the surviving members of Damageplan and their crew. Dimebag Darrell was an exceptional musician and an extraordinary person. Along with his brother and bandmate, Vinnie Paul, he was a member of the Elektra/Atlantic family for the past 14 years, and he will be deeply missed. The bravery displayed by Damageplan, their crew, their fans, and the local police will never be forgotten.

Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich:

This is unbelievable. To sit here and talk about Darrell in the past tense seems so wrong, so unfair, so unjust, I don’t even know what to say. My heart goes out to Vinnie, to their families, to the other band members, and to the families and friends of the other people that were killed or injured, in this fucking senseless act of selfishness and stupidity.

In 1985 I was fortunate enough to meet both Darrell and his brother in Dallas on tour. The first thing me and my friend did as soon as that tour was over, was to head straight back to Dallas and hang out with Darrell and Vinnie for a long time, cuz they were the coolest mutherfuckers that we had met after criss-crossing the states for three months. That was the beginning of a friendship that was anchored in love, respect, fun, outrageousness, music, booze, sweat, late nights, early mornings, hangovers, headaches, pounding eardrums, sore bodies… the list goes on.

There’s a tendency in these fucked up moments to use the word I a lot and focus on one’s own feelings of pity and shock… so instead let it just be known that thru these eyes Darrell was incredibly warm, open, fun, nutty, forthcoming, talented, embracing, unpretentious, accommodating and he always had a very attractive innocence about him that obviously made him never threatening and always welcoming.

’darrell and his brother were the cornerstone of musical adventures that were always groundbreaking, pushing boundaries, challenging to themselves and to their fans, respected by their peers and always true musicians musicians, and today the rock world is worse off because of this untimely and senseless waste.

Much love and respect and thanks for letting me be a small part of your life and I know you are already having fun and throwing it down with Bon Scott, Keith Moon, John Bonham, Jimi, Cliff B., and the rest of the musicians and troublemakers that you are hanging with so prematurely.

Limp Bizkit vocalist Fred Durst:

Last night was the 9/11 for metal to me and the metal community. Not only did Pantera inspire me to have the courage to express myself they were also one of my main motivations to form Limp Bizkit. I am sad beyond comprehension. I mourn for the loved ones of Dimebag and the others murdered. a living legend has been taken from us. Life has permanantly changed for me as of last night. I believe everything happens for a reason and in no way do I understand the reason for this. I will be forever in his debt. RIP Dimebag.

Superjoint Ritual bassist Hank Williams III:

It just ain’t fuckin right… Alcohol should have killed Dime, not a fuckin piece of shit worthless fuck with a gun trying to recreate the John Lennon’s killing… This happened on the same day, if you didnt know… Dime will never die EVER!!! His style of guitar playing took metal to a whole new chapter in metal history.

For those of us that were lucky enough to be around Dime as a person… or see him jam in no matter what band it was, you know he liked to have a good time… In his honor, crank up his fuckin music and get motherfuckin wasted on whiskey!!!!!!!

And no matter what was said with all the shit talking between Superjoint Ritual and Damageplan, that’s all it was, nothing but talk!! If we had ever been in the same room together as both bands, it would have been cool… Kinda like seeing ole family… .

I’m sure there will be plenty of new rumors surfacing… ..And fingers pointing at people to blame… But Philip and the rest of Superjoint Ritual are in a state of shock and blown away by this tragedy! We do not take this shit lightly… What this kid did is so fucked up its not even conceivable. May you burn in the hottest corners of hell, you pistol-packin pussyf*ck…

R.I.P Dimebag. You rocked harder than you will ever know!!!!

Rob Zombie:

I don’t know exactly what to write concerning the death of Darrell. This is beyond shocking and horrible. I still can’t believe it is true. I got the call from my manager Andy Gould, who, along with Walter O Brien, used to manage Pantera and White Zombie.

’during the early ninties White Zombie and Pantera were constant touring partners and I had the pleasure of watching Darrell perform with Pantera easily over a hundred times. For those of you who never saw him, he was without a doubt the most dynamic guitartist on the face of the planet. He was truly one of a kind. A legend.

Off stage, he was a cool, down-to-earth guy with the most bizarre sense of humor ever, half the time I didn’t even understand what the hell he was saying. He spoke a language all his own Dimespeak.

The last time I saw Darrell was with his brother Vinnie standing in the crowd rocking out at a Metallica show. I never got a chance to see his new band, but I’m sure he was as amazing as always.

No one can replace a giant talent like Darrell, he will be missed.

My heart goes out to Phil, Rex and especially Vinnie.

Exodus guitarist Gary Holt:

I am, for the first time in my life, at a loss for words. The terrible reality of last night’s tragedy is starting to sink in, and I am in a deep state of mourning over the loss of one of my personal guitar heroes, on stage and off, Dimebag Darrell.

When my friend Walter called me with the news last night, I had to make him repreat every word when he was finished. It was just too much to believe. I had to be some sort of stupid, cruel rumor. But it was not. And so begins heavy metal’s darkest day.

I ll never forget when Exodus, along with Suicidal Tendencies, had the honor of taking Pantera out on their first U.S. tour. And I will never forget standing there, along with Rick Hunolt, watching Darrell play during their first soundcheck, just totally ripping Gary Moore’s Still Got the Blues . Rick and I knew this cat was something special. And he reminded us of it every night. He was a wildman, able to drink people under the table and still go out there and shred, never hitting a bad note. He was the first guitarist I’d ever seen who actually frightened me, he was so fucking good! And most guys with that kind of talent wear their guitars like a bib and spend their off time indulging in role playing games, but Dimebag was a monster of the best and highest caliber. Only Zakk Wylde could compete with Dimebag in that respect.

My deepest condolences go out to Vinnie and his family. I am so sorry for your loss, and I will not even try to pretend I have any idea what you must be going through right now. The metal world is behind you, we are all behind you.

’dimebag, rest in peace bro, this blacktooth is for you.

’deftones drummer Abe Cunningham:

We had the pleasure of touring three times with Pantera. They treated us so well on the road. We had some great times hanging out with them. They treated us with open arms, especially the brothers. Darrell lived the music. We feel terrible, and our hearts go out to his family, brother and father. He was a legend in this business, and an unbelievable musician. He will be missed by all.

Korn vocalist Jonathan Davis:

’darrell and Pantera were one of the main reasons I joined a metal band. This is a tragic loss for the music community and to all who knew him. Korn is truly shaken and we want to send our deepest condolences to the families of the deceased.

Ozzy Osbourne:

’dimebag was a dear friend of mine. I’m absolutely beside myself with grief. I can’t for the life of me understand why someone would do this. Pantera toured with me many, many times. I ll always remember the signed guitar that he gave me at my 50th birthday party. My heart goes out to Dime’s family, his fans and the other innocent victims who were killed in this senseless tragedy. It’s just terribly, terribly sad.

Kittie drummer Mercedes Lander:

I dont know how to begin or end this.

Someone that meant the world to me was shot to death last night… This is still not real to me… I’m still waiting to wake up from this nightmare… it doesn’t even feel real…

’dime was awesome to me in every way… He took me under his wing when I was 16 and taught me everything I know about what I do… Dime and Vinnie treated me like I was a younger sister and I saw both of them as older brothers… The truth is that they didnt have to be nice to me and treat me as well as they did but they did because they are good people. I had so many awesome nights throughout the years of just drinking and talking. Some people even started calling me the cowgirl from hell. I looked up to Dime and Vinnie so much because I saw myself and my sister in them… They made me want to work even harder at my dreams and reach the level that they were at… they are the closest thing I had to heroes.

I can’t believe something like this could have happened in the metal community. I am at a loss of words to describe how I feel. I am so angry and frustrated… I don’t think I will ever understand this senceless act. I can’t believe this happened. It hurts so much right now. Whats even worse is that I can’t even believe what Vinnie is going through.

You are one of the most amazing people in the world… I will miss you dearly… All I can think about is all the awesome times we had together… it scares me that I won’t be able to have that again. You were loved by so many people… You will be missed.

Fozzy/Stuck Mojo guitarist Rich Ward:

I feel that we should all be hesitant to make any assumptions or to repeat Internet rumors, at least until they are substantiated. Even then, what would our motivation be to talk about his death? All the details will unfold in the coming days. I think our focus would be better served by celebrating Dime’s life and how he and his music touched us all.

When we were on tour with Pantera, Dime was obsessed with repeating a phrase from the movie Pulp Fiction, Tell that bitch to chill. . . . He had us all in stitches, as every few minutes you’d hear his voice echo through the arena, I said… … TELL THAT BITCH TO CHILL.

At the time of our tour, Pantera’s head of security was a guy appropriately named, Big Val. After a few black tooths, Bonz got a hair up his ass and said that he’d put phat cash on Corey (Mojo bassist) to beat Big Val in an arm wrestling contest. Well, it didn’t take Dime and Vinnie two seconds to pull two huge rolls of cash out of their pockets. The room went nuts seeing Bonz jaw drop as he realized his mouth was writing checks that his ass couldn’t cash.

The best story though was when we first met up with Pantera at the Dynamo festival, which was the day before our tour started. We (Mojo) had a meeting, where we discussed playing it cool and not being too quick to be all up their (Pantera’s) ass.

Let’s face it, all of us in Mojo worshipped Pantera and we wanted to earn their respect as well as being mindful of how annoying it was when the opening band hung out all day in your dressing room. But as all plans on tour are destined to fail, Bonz got drunk, forgot our agreement and wandered out on stage with a shot of Crown Royal for Dime. This being the touring band’s sign of friendship and respect, Dime smiled and leaned his head back. Then Bonz poured the shot in Dime’s eye! He made the most awful face and staggered over blindly towards his tech, who tried to clean his eye with a wet towel. Mind you, he didn’t stop playing and this was in front of a crowd of over fifty thousand people. He regained his sight after about two songs and later walked over to where I was standing, which was next to his tech. He looked at me, laughed and said, Goddamn man, if that shit stings your eye that bad, I wonder what it’s doing to my stomach.

I ll miss you.

Single Bullet Theory vocalist/guitarist Matt Difabio:

It’s been almost 14 hours since I heard the report that dime had been shot and killed. At first I assumed it was a hoax. I mean, who would shot Dimebag? I sit here still completely blown away and overcome with sadness.

’dimebag was without a doubt a key element in creating and changing what we are all so blessed to call metal in the new millennium. This guy is the definitive king of killer shredding and great tone… A trend-setting monster of a player who had the skill of a complete mastermind of his craft.

On a personal note, I had the chance only once to drink for hours with Dime during my time in Pissing Razors. I still remember being in awe of his presence, he was 100% down to earth, laid-back, funny as hell and a genuine great person to say I had the privilege of meeting. He also got us drunk to the point of insanity (but that goes without saying).

I now understand what my parents went through when JFK or Lennon was shot. The world stops and actually looks at just how important this person’s life was to other people and how influential one person can be to a generation. Hopefully, we will be able to shed light to the rest of the world that heavy metal isn’t too blame for this catastrophe. One sick persons actions does not speak for an entire genre. I already saw one news report trying to paint a picture that metal creates and advocates violence… I hope people come to understand that this was an isolated incident that is as bizarre as it is horrific.

In closing, thank you, Dime… for inspiring so many of us too do what we do! You set a precedent that will always be imitated but never matched. I speak for all the members of Single Bullet Theory when I say … You will be sorely missed!

U.S. Music Corp., a manufacturer and distributor of Washburn Guitars and Randall Amplifiers:

On behalf of Washburn Guitars, Randall Amplifiers and U.S. Music Corp., we wish to express our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Dimebag Darrell Abbott. We are profoundly saddened at the news of his tragic passing. For more than a decade, Darrell was a member of the Washburn, Randall and U.S. Music Corp. family, he always proved to be a man of great character and exceptional talent. You could always count on Dime to be the life of the party. Darrell’s friendship, humor and brilliant music will be sorely missed by all.

’dream Theater drummer Mike Portnoy:

I wasn’t gonna post anything because this whole tragedy isn’t about me or how I feel… and I feel so helpless and insignificant at such an unbelievable time as this…

But after sitting in front of my computer screen in disbelief for the last 24 hours since I heard about this last night I finally felt I needed to at least acknowledge how absolutely horrible I feel about this nightmare.

Actually, I am sick to my stomach.

’dime was an incredible talent who I’ve admired since the beginning when we had both just signed to Atco Records. It’s been many years since I’ve hung with him or any of the PANTERA guys but my memories with him and the guys were always of great fun and filled with crazy drunken insanity.

He lived each and everyday to the fullest. In fact, I never could believe how he could even function (both on and off stage) with the way he partied and lived life.

I feel so sorry for Vinnie and the rest of the band and family.

Words really cannot describe the heartache I’ve had all day.

This is as tragic and unbelievable as Lennon getting killed.

But this hits home even closer because he was ONE OF US.

I really cannot believe it…

Slipknot percussionist Shawn Crahan (a.k.a. Clown) spoke to the Des Moines Register:

Crahan attended a Damageplan concert just last week, at Irving Plaza in New York. He called Abbott a friend and Rock N Roll icon.

It’s just upsetting how the world is the need and the necessity to override the value of life, Crahan said. From my whole (Slipknot) family, I would like to tell . . . Vinnie and everyone else how sorry we are.

Slipknot’s lead singer, Corey Taylor, sang on Damageplan’s album released in February, New Found Glory .

When asked if Abbott’s death made him anymore fearful about stepping on stage in front of a sea of strange faces, as Slipknot has done 150 times this year alone, Crahan struck a practical tone.

This type of activity has always gone on and it’s part of our business, he said. You can go through decades of information and hear about these kinds of things. It sounds like there were people in place to try to prevent this. It almost doesn’t matter. People get in. It’s just so, so, so unfortunate.

Corrosion of Conformity guitarist/vocalist Pepper Keenan and producer John Custer, who are at a Raleigh studio working on the band’s new album, spoke to The News & Observer:

It’s tragic, a shame, Keenan said Thursday. I’ve known Darrell for years and years. He was a big fan of COC, we toured Australia together with Pantera. It’s just a shame.

He was one of the defining guitarists of his generation, Custer said. He was like Eddie Van Halen or Randy Rhoads or Stevie Ray Vaughan, about seven cuts above everybody else. Anybody who puts in the amount of time and devotion to get that good is not … out there just to mess around with music for a little while before going on to something else. He was a devoted musician and one of the most influential guitarists to come out of that whole decade. And he made records that helped people get through their year. He ll be remembered as one of the best.

Thursday afternoon, Corrosion of Conformity was gathering at the studio again. But Custer did not think they’d get much work done right away.

It’s hard to get excited about cutting guitar tracks right now, Custer said. There will definitely be a shroud over things for a while. This is just awful.

’drowning Pool have cancelled the remainder of their tour Thursday out of respect and grief.

The band, who grappled with tragedy just two years ago when their lead singer died of a heart condition while on tour, issued a statement Thursday about the shootings.

No one knows why some people do the heinous things they do, it said. What we do know is that once again, we leave tour to bury friends, brothers and family.

’dimebag Darrell was the epitome of rock and roll. He wasn’t just a player that all guitarists aspired to be, but the genuine article and a true friend. Darrell inspired our lives and how we carried ourselves not just as musicians out on the road but also as friends in everyday life.

The band also expressed grief for Jeff Thompson, who was also killed by the gunman.

Jeff Thompson, known to his friends as Mayhem, was the biggest friend that a man could have or know, the band’s statement said. Mayhem has been a big part of both Damageplan and Drowning Pool. We will sorely miss him and all of his nearly seven feet of glory adorned in a kilt.

Former Ratt bassist Juan Croucier:

Ironically, I learned today that Darrell was a big RATT fan. What a thing to learn on a day like today. I had heard the rumor before but it was confirmed to me by Warren De Martini. Warren and Darrell were friends. He had nothing but wonderful things to say about Darrell and as you can imagine, was greatly saddened by this senseless tragedy.

’dimebag Darrell, was an awesome guitar player, Pantera and Damageplan were great, great bands! I remember hearing Pantera for the first time back in the early 90s and thinking to myself man, this band is over the top. Very intense. I loved it. It was also my brother Rick’s favorite band.

’darrell, brought something new to the hard rock/metal game. He was not only a great guitar player/song writer but he changed the rock music world with his style and approach. Hard rock/metal will never be the same. His contribution to music will live on in all of us who loved his work.

My thoughts, condolences and prayers go out to his brother Vinnie, his family, friends and Pantera/Damageplan fans as well as the other folks that were senselessly murdered.

Life is so precious, everyone matters. Unfortunately, we live in a world where senseless and insane acts of violence can and do happen without warning.

Yeah, I learned today that Darrell was a big Ratt fan… Well, I am a big Pantera/Damageplan/Dimebag Darrell fan! And always will be.

’dean Guitars founder Dean B. Zelinsky:

As I sit here awake at 2:34 am, feeling numb beyond belief to the news that our good friend Darrell Abbott is no longer with us, I would like to share my thoughts as they come to mind.

I met Darrell when he was only a kid, not old enough to get into the clubs for which he would later grace the stages throughout his impressive career. This kid was great at 16 years old and destined to become the idol we now know as Dimebag Darrell.

’darrell became the true persona of a rock star. He personified and exemplified the rock life … he lived it 24/7. It is the Dimebag Darrells that make this industry we all are so emotionally attached to bigger than life. He truly knew his role… after all; he was also rock’s biggest fan. He grew up with the dream and had what it takes to put it all together.

Anyone who ever met Dimebag Darrell will tell you, they were touched for life. He treated his fans like royalty, as he knew what it was like to be a kid at a concert and seeing your idol onstage… he wanted to give it all back. When Darrell was off stage, he was always aware of whom he was and the effect he had on his fans. People who knew him will tell you that behind the persona of Dimebag Darrell was a guy who was kind, loyal, sentimental, full of emotion, full of life, charismatic and extremely talented. Darrell was an artist not only with a guitar but also with a pen. When I would meet with him, he would show up with a file folder full of drawings of his guitar designs.

Just a few weeks ago I was with Darrell at a show in Milwaukee. Backstage after the show, two kids were waiting at the stage door and would not leave without seeing Darrell. When he got wind of this he insisted they be brought back to meet him. These kids were so in awe to meet their idol, then Darrell rocked their world when he put them on the VIP list for the Chicago show the very next day.

’darrell was one of rock’s greatest guitarists. He took metal to whole new level and showed young rockers how the instrument was to be played. He made young kids all over the world want to pick up a guitar and play like Dime! He potentially inspired more kids to play guitar than any artist in recent history.

On a personal note, words cannot express the loss I am feeling. Of all the stars I have met in the past 28 years, nobody touched me like Darrell. He was the artist who would bring me on stage and introduce me as the world’s greatest guitar maker. He was a fan of mine as I was a fan of him. No single artist has done more for the popularity of Dean Guitars than Dimebag Darrell.

These past months working with Darrell on new guitar designs, talking to him just about every day have been the most invigorating times in my 28-year career. Seeing Dime onstage with a Dean in his hands again brought back feelings I thought were gone forever. Just yesterday I was on the phone with him discussing the photo shoot we had set up for the show in Michigan on Friday to introduce his new Razorback design. He started talking about how he couldn’t wait to get home in a few days to work on the new Damageplan CD. He said this new CD was going to be heavier than ever and blow people’s minds.

I cannot help but think about Rita. She and Darrell had been together since they were in 3rd grade. I have worked very closely with her these past months as she handles all of Dime’s affairs. She is truly the woman behind the man and Dimebag would have told you, he wouldn’t have been Dimebag without Rita. She is one very special person and I cannot fathom the pain she must be feeling. Our deepest sympathy goes out to his brother Vinnie and the rest of his family. Our hearts go out as well to the other victims of this horrible tragedy.

’darrell was a living legend. He lived every day of his life to the fullest. I will always remember his smile onstage. He loved what he did and it showed. No matter how big the crowd, he could always find you and fling a guitar pick your way. We at Dean have lost a great artist but more importantly, a true friend. The world has lost a great human being.

Savatage guitarist Chris Caffery:

Recently we were suddenly stripped [of] a modern-day guitar legend. Darrell was one of the few guitarists in history that had his own unique spot. His own style, his own sound.

When you hear someone say the Eddie Van Halen sound or the Yngwie sound, you know what I mean. These are the true legends. There was a Pantera sound. This sound was groundbreaking, it was Darrell. I respected him and learned from him even after playing guitar for over 25 years. As a person he was one of the kindest and friendliest I have ever met.

Having a brother who is a drummer, I can only imagine Vinnie’s pain. My thoughts and prayers are with his closest friends and family.

The heavy metal world is large and widespread, but we are still a big community, a family. Yesterday we lost a cornerstone. A very special member of the family.

RIP Dimebag!

Megadeth mainman Dave Mustaine will be hosting the MTV2 Headbanger’s Ball tribute to Dimebag Darrell on Saturday, December 11 beginning at 10:00 p.m.

For those of you who do, please pray for me that I would do Darrell justice, Mustaine said. For those of you who don’t, please just send positive thoughts so this will be a truly fabulous, honoring, and respectful reflection back on a very good man, and guitar virtuoso.

John Futty, Evan Goodenow and Aaron Beck of The Columbus Dispatch:

Shortly before Damageplan took the stage at the Alrosa Villa, a man approached the band’s bus behind the North Side nightclub.

He wanted to know if lead guitarist ’dimebag Darrell Abbott and his brother, drummer Vinnie Paul Abbott, were onboard.

Aaron Barns, the heavy-metal group’s sound man, told him the brothers had already gone in the club.

The next time I see him, he’s walking behind the bass player and singer right over to Dime, Barns said yesterday.

As the band played its opening song Wednesday night, the man rushed across the stage and grabbed Darrell Abbott, firing several shots into his head from a Beretta 9 mm semiautomatic handgun.

The gunman, identified yesterday as Nathan Gale, killed three other people and wounded two before Columbus Police Officer James D. Niggemeyer entered the rear of the club shortly after 10:20 p.m.

Carrying a Remington 870, a 12-gauge shotgun, the officer circled a stack of amplifiers and saw Gale, who was at the back of the stage holding a gun to a man’s head.

From 20 feet away, Niggemeyer killed Gale with a single shotgun blast.

His decision to enter the club without waiting for fellow police officers to arrive saved lives, many said.

All of the officers have been trained since the Columbine incident that, if there’s shooting going on, to go in and put the pressure on the shooter, Niggemeyer’s supervisor, Sgt. Jeff Leesbug, said last night.

In addition to the band’s guitarist, those whom Gale killed were Nathan Bray, a 23-year-old fan from Grove City; Erin A. Halk, a 29-year-old Northwest Side man who worked security at the club; and Jeff Mayhem Thompson, a 40-year-old crew member from Waxahachie, Texas.

Wounded in the shooting were Chris Paluska, the band’s tour manager, and John Brooks, a drum technician. Both were in Riverside Methodist Hospital last night, where Paluska was in serious condition and Brooks was in good condition.

Many in the crowd of more than 400 heavymetal enthusiasts thought Gale was a crew member, a part of the act or an exuberant fan.

He didn’t pull out the gun until he got to Dimebag, said Brian Kozicki, the club’s lighting director, who watched from the sound booth.

People who had known the 25-year-old Gale in his hometown of Marysville described him yesterday as an unstable man who once asserted that the Abbott brothers former band, Pantera, had stolen his song lyrics.

Some witnesses said Gale fired at Vinnie Paul Abbott but missed and then fired at those who attempted to subdue him. He probably wouldn’t have shot anyone else if other people hadn’t tried to stop him, Barns said.

Mitch Carpenter, an Alrosa security guard working in the parking lot, said he encountered Gale before the concert and asked him to park his car and buy a ticket or leave. Gale parked behind the building near the band’s bus and was asked to move his car, which he did.

The next time Carpenter saw Gale, he was in the club.

He had hopped the fence at the patio, Carpenter said. He was walking really fast toward the stage and I followed him.

I thought he was going to get up there and stage dive or something during the first song. I figured he was just a guy who didn’t have any money to buy a ticket so he got in the way he did.

I’ve been going over it in my mind, but when he came in I didn’t want to tackle him. He was a big guy.

Alrosa owner Rick Cautela was tending bar when he heard the shots during the band’s opening song, New Found Power . He thought they were firecrackers.

I heard the music stop and heard more pops. I figured the band had stopped and was going to start again when they grabbed whoever had the firecrackers, he said of security workers. I just kept waiting on customers.

But then audience members ran toward the exits.

The panic and confusion can be heard in 10 calls made to 911 operators, beginning at 10:18 p.m., seconds after the first shots were fired.

I’m at the Alrosa Villa and there’s a shooting. Someone is shooting the band on the stage, said a female caller.

they’re still shooting. The person is still loose with the gun.

Kozicki said he took cover in the sound booth and dialed 911 as soon as Darrell Abbott slumped to the floor. He remained on the line with an operator for five minutes, offering details about the chaos and the gunman’s actions.

A little more than three minutes after his call to 911 began, he told the operator that police had killed the gunman.

Kozicki, a student at Bowling Green State University, called the officer’s action 100 percent in the right.

If he hadn’t done it, more people probably would have been killed, he said yesterday.

Niggemeyer had just begun his shift at the 18 th precinct, at Karl and Morse roads about 2 miles from Alrosa when the report of a shooting came in. When he arrived at the club about two minutes later, security workers pointed him to the back door.

At least five other officers came through another door of the club seconds after Niggemeyer fired. Ultimately, about 60 detectives were at the club, many working overtime. They interviewed about 250 witnesses, putting them on three buses provided by COTA.

This is the first time the 31-year-old Niggemeyer, who joined the force in 1999, has shot a suspect. He has a clean record, with many compliments from citizens, said Sgt. Brent Mull, a police spokesman. The division would not release his personnel file yesterday.

Band members spent Wednesday night on their bus then went back to Texas, where they’re based.

Vinnie crashed in Dime’s bunk and was crying, Barns said.

Fans of the band created two memorials in front of the club yesterday. Flowers and a bottle of Rogue Dead Guy Ale were among the items on a large rock beside the club’s driveway. A wooden cross with the phrase In memory of the lives lost: RIP December 8th written on it was leaning against a pole.

David Moran, a 29-year-old fan from German Village, was among those who placed bouquets of flowers on the rock.

He wrote RIP Dimebag on the wrapper.

He was one of the best guitar players out there, Moran said. The music world lost one of its greats.

Ex-Testament, Death, Obituary guitarist/producer James Murphy:

I first met Darrell about 18 years ago at a show in Texas around 85- 86. Pantera was playing to a pretty packed house at this little hole-in-the-wall venue a bar, really, with a stage jammed into one corner. I had not come for the music, but rather to socialize and have a few drinks. I was only 18 or 19 (18 was old enough to buy beer in Texas and Louisiana in those days) and I had never heard of Pantera before. I nursed my beer and mingled as the band on stage played a diverse collection of cover songs and soon enough I started to take note of the killer playing of the lone guitarist on stage and became more and more impressed as the band started to work in some original music. I took note of two things in particular: 1. how this band with this single guitarist could sound so thick and powerful on stage, and 2. how that guitarist who looked to be about the same age as me could play so damn well and with such an original style. He was, in my estimation, light years ahead of me.

As the night was wrapping up I made my way to the band’s merchandise table where I noticed some cassette tapes for sale, asked which one was the most recent, and purchased it. I then made my way over to where the guitarist was hanging out off to the side of the tiny stage and introduced myself. Diamond Darrell, as he was known in those days, extended his hand warmly and though he was tired and trying to pack up some gear he still took the time to chat and tell me more about himself and the band. Having met many bar band guitarists by that point from the Texas and Louisiana club circuit I was immediately struck by how truly nice Darrell was by comparison to some of the other guys I had talked to… he showed me his guitar, his rig, and tried to show me a couple cool guitar licks on his unplugged instrument over the din of the bar crowd. I was in awe of this guy, and when I asked he revealed to me that he was less than one year older than me… I was floored and rushed home with my new Pantera cassette determined to practice until I was on a level somewhere close to Darrell’s by the following year.

That tape was titled I Am The Night and though the tape itself wore out years ago from constant play I recall that the line-up consisted of all but Phil Anselmo out of the line-up we all know from the most famous albums.. i.e., from Cowboys from Hell onward. I liked every song and Darrell’s incredibly tight rhythm playing was evident throughout the album, but there was also an instrumental track that showcased Darrell’s amazing solo guitar talent, I think it was titled ’d-G-T-T-M and I wore my fingers and ears out trying to learn it.

I met Darrell many more times over the years, especially as my career started moving forward in 1990, and no matter how big Pantera got he was always the same as that first meeting… . genuinely nice. Sometimes he would remember me, other times he didn’t seem to at all, but he never treated me any differently.

I will miss you Darrell, the world will miss you. My deepest sympathies to Vinnie, Rita, and the entire Abbott family as well as to all those like myself who are, have been, and always will be, in awe of what you accomplished, what you played, and most importantly, who you were.

Rest in peace brother.

Limp Bizkit guitarist Wes Borland:

We were playing a show in Texas a few years ago and I saw this sweaty, super long-haired, big-bearded, Dimebag Darrell-looking guy come over the barricade right in front of me. Holy crap, I thought, That IS Dimebag Darrell!!! I had only met him once before, but I had grown up on Pantera and was a little star-struck by his presence. He was smiling and looking up at me and jamming out to whatever song we were playing at the moment. The security in the barricade were getting ready to shoo him out from in front of the stage with everyone else, but I stopped them from ushering him out and I stopped playing guitar and I shook his hand. He hung out right in front of me for about four more songs. I couldn’t believe it. He was a hero to so many of us. I’m glad I got to have that moment with him. I ll never forget it.

Motorhead:

Lemmy: To Vinnie & all concerned: Man, I am so fuckin sorry. You know I loved Dimebag and I’m about as sorry as you can get. Glad you’re OK though. If there’s anything you need help with, you got my number somewhere, OK.

Thinking of you.

Phil Campbell: I’m so sorry, we ll dedicate the set to Dimebag tonight.

Mikkey Dee: My deepest sympathy to everyone affected by this tragedy.

Ex-Megadeth guitarist Marty Friedman:

I knew Darrell from months of touring together. He was a great guitar player, actually much better than was probably necessary to play the kind of music he was playing. Although his image was a wild partying maniac, his playing always was full of class and finesse. As a fellow guitar player, KISS fanatic and basic rock dude just tryin to make music, I’m sad and shocked by this.

Why is it so easy for any lunatic to get his hands on a gun??

RIP, Dime, you will be missed…

Staind guitarist Mike Mushok:

I can’t believe the news I got last night. Jon called me telling me that Dimebag was shot at a club while they were performing. I couldn’t believe it then and I still can’t. On behalf of myself and the band I’d like to send our deepest sympathy to Dime’s family. What a loss.

I was lucky enough to be able to hang with Dime on a few occasions and he was a man that loved life and lived it to the fullest. He was an incredible guitar player / musician / human being a legend who will live on in the awesome music that he made.

Pour yourself a shot of crown, add a splash of coke and raise your glass in Dime’s memory. You ll be missed.

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath:

I was absolutely shocked by the news. Dimebag was such a really nice genuine bloke and a great player. He was always very respectful towards me and it was lovely to have him on tour with us. He will be sadly missed.

Paul Stanley of KISS:

I’m stunned. The taking of Dimebag Darrell’s life in this horrific murder is a senseless tragedy for his fans and unfathomable loss for his family. I send my deepest condolences to Vinnie and the rest of his family. My thoughts are also with the families of all the other victims of this heinous act.

Gene Simmons of KISS:

Our best wishes to his family and friends.

Vinnie Paul issued the following statement:

With all his greatness and accomplishments on the guitar, Dime will be missed more for his giving personality, charisma, caring for others, love and most of all his HEART!! Twice as big as the state of TEXAS!!!!!!!!!!!! Dime gave it all every day to each and every one of us and our lives have forever been hollowed without him… Thanks to all of you for reaching out to us in this time of our immeasurable loss. REST IN PEACE BROTHER DIME!!!!!!

The surviving members of Damageplan issued the following joint statement:

Jeffrey Mayhem Thompson was not just a true part of the Damageplan family, but part of the whole Dallas music scene. He was friend to all, with a great personality. He bent over backward to help us all with his trademark phrases like What can I do for you sir? and Coming up! He also stated his willingness to protect us, saying I’d take a bullet for ya, and unfortunately did in defense of our lives. He truly lived and died for his friends and made the ultimate sacrifice, giving his life to save ours. For this we will never forget. You will be missed big man.

Ted Nugent spoke to The Flint Journal:

It was horrible. Darrell was a big fan of mine. He expressed that every time we ever saw each other, said the Nuge, who fondly recalled that Pantera performed his Journey to the Center of the Mind and Cat Scratch Fever the last time they played Detroit.

It’s tragic on two dynamic levels, Nugent, an outspoken advocate of sensible gun ownership, added. Once again, innocence is destroyed, and it’s Americans destroying other Americans. This conduct runs wild in this country … It’s not the Taliban doing it. It’s Americans.

Ex-Jane’s Addiction/Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Dave Navarro:

I never met Darrell, but I will always remain dazzled by his playing.

I cannot believe how sad the whole shooting incident is.

Music is important. You know it means the world to me. But in the same breath, it is just music. So many bands break up, do new stuff, move on, sometimes get back together for a while and then keep moving, reunite, I mean, it just happens. Marriages end in divorce sometimes, boyfriends and girlfriends separate, business partners go separate ways.

I was going to try to list all the bands I could think of that have parted over the years, but come on, that would take forever. As soon as I typed, The Beatles, I thought, Maybe I don’t even have to go any further.

’darrell was just playing music.

I have read that his death was due to the opinions of a disgruntled Pantera fan. If there is any truth to that, it is just so sickening and pathetic and full of selfish hate on the part of the shooter. So full of self-importance and grandeur. As a music fan, it makes me sad. As a fellow artist it makes me sad. I mean, who did this guy think he was rocking out to when he listened to Pantera? Was he really just a part-time supporter of Darrell? Could he find the distinction? What a fucked up world it must be to live in where one thinks that everything revolves around him and is about him and for or against him.

So, Darrell got shot cause he wanted to make music. Because he was happy creating and playing. I am utterly saddened and disgusted. A devastating day for music and for those of us who consider ourselves fans, myself included, because, clearly, on some level, this guy thought we all had this in common. We consider ourselves fans of music.

And acceptance is the answer to all my problems today. When I am disturbed, it is because I find some person, place, thing or situation some fact of my life—unacceptable to me, and I can find no serenity until I accept that person, place, thing or situation as being exactly the way it is supposed to be at this moment. Nothing, absolutely nothing happens in God’s world by mistake…

Music, our song, our community is our voice. It is by the people for the people, of the people. It is progression, forward movement. The hate is backwards decay into death. We owe it to ourselves to be the representatives of who we really are. The healers. We owe it to the world, because clearly, the world needs to be shown sometimes.

Ex-Testament/Savatage guitarist Alex Skolnick:

I was watching CNN early this morning when they cut to the scene of a conert shooting in Columbus. I was sure it was some local band, then they showed the pictures of Darrell. I still can’t believe it.

I remember meeting those guys for the first time in Houston in 88, when Testament got up and jammed with them, They were a metal cover band with a reputation of playing better than some of the bands they were paying tribute to.

I remember Darrell asking me to show him one of my Testament solos to see if he was doing it right. He was, and added his own thing to it. As time went on, I ll be the first to admit the PANTERA found their own voice as a band and took it to levels which blew us all away.

I hadn’t seen [Darrell] in about ten years or so. We were very different types of players and people. I wanted to explore other musical styles, he wanted to delve deeper and deeper into metal. I was shy and quiet (at the time), he was a loud, wild Texan. We weren’t close but when I saw him over the years I always felt a mutual respect. I considered him one of the best metal players out there and am truly saddened by this and in disbelief that something like this could happen.

I don’t know what else to say.

RIP, Dime.

Eyehategod:

The world and Eyehategod lost a brother and true friend with the passing of Dimebag Darrell Abbott. He was a true Eyehategod fan from the heart. He will be missed on every single level for so many reasons.

We extend our condolences and love to the Abbott family, the Damageplan families and all who became victims December 8th, 2004.

Metal Church tour manager Rob Monks:

The news of Dimebag’s death reached the ears of the Metal Church camp about five minutes before we were due to hit stage in Tuscon, AZ. At that time it was just a rumor and not confirmed.

This tragedy especially hit the Metal Church camp hard as Dime was a friend to Kirk Arrington for many years as is Dime’s wife Rita. A senseless tragedy such as this is next to impossible to process in the band’s and crew’s minds as when we played Ft. Worth this past Sunday night, Rita came to our show and partied the Metal Church boys and afterwards treated Kirk and the road crew (myself included) to the utmost hospitality by letting us stay at her and Dime’s house that evening.

The boys in the band and crew have been in a constant state of surreal shock since this tragedy was confirmed. We are all immensely saddened by this great loss to the world of metal and the world in general.

’dime was a hell-raising lover of life and the world is that much darker without him. It just all seems like a horrible joke or bad dream still and will for quite some time.

I wish to personally extend my deepest condolences to Rita, a wonderful person who took us road-weary guys in and treated us like family. When you’re on the road for long periods of times an act of such consideration and kindness means a lot to us and to have to have the worst thing in the world happen to such a person just days after is just unthinkable.

Rita, I have no words to say that could possibly describe my heartfelt sorrow for your loss. If there’s anything we can do for you please call.

Ex-Anthrax vocalist Neil Turbin:

When Dime came on the scene with Pantera, he changed the way heavy metal guitar was played. Noticeably more bone crunching and powerful. Now that he has left the stage, it is no longer a sacred ground to witness the sanctity of metal without the fear of bodily harm (other than getting hurt in a slampit).

I am saddened, sickened and outraged by this cowardly act. This is a crime against all metalheads and music fans alike. Metal shows are supposed to be fun and Darrell was one of those who made it a lot of fun to go out to see live music. What a tragic end to a brilliant career and a great loss to everyone.

’darrell was metal’s finest, a warm person who would treat you like a bro, a brother, son, friend, and one of the true great guitar legends of all time.

You have much love, support and will be sorely missed by the entire metal community. This is without a doubt the saddest day in metal. You will always be remembered.

My deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to the families of all the victims, Vinnie Paul, Rita, the Abbotts, Patrick Lachman, Bobzilla, the tour manager and drum tech, crew, and all of the Damageplan and Pantera fans and extended family to get through these dark and difficult times.

’darrell, thanks for the great music, killer riffs, and inspiration you have given me and so many others to plug in and play it loud!

Salute! And much respect.

Ex-Alice in Chains guitarist Jerry Cantrell told the Dallas Morning News that Dimebag Darrell was a one-of-a-kind character a hard-partying Yosemite Sam who had a tender, more nurturing side.

He was a deep soul, Cantrell said. He was always there with a smile … which is why this doesn’t make any sense at all. Why would anyone have a beef with him?

Cantrell recalled the time Dimebag borrowed his Yukon truck and returned it full of graffiti and adhesive stickers. That’s the kind of guy he was. … He loved to pull pranks on you. … He always had a joke and a smile.

Type O Negative drummer Johnny Kelly:

I’m not really sure what to say or how to put it in words to describe what I’m feeling at the moment. The world has lost a genuine person, one of the true greats. We’ve lost a great friend, some have lost an idol, but more tragic than any of that, a father lost his son and Vinnie lost his brother.

Since Type O Negative first toured with Pantera in 1995, both bands have remained close friends. No matter how much time would pass, whenever we would get together it always seemed like we had just seen each other the night before. Touring with them was an amazing experience that I still talk about ten years later. I have so many memories of Darrell and all of it included laughter. Hanging out with Darrell, Rita, Vinnie, Pantera and Damageplan was always an adventure. You never knew what was going to happen but it usually wound up with your stomach hurting from laughing so much and a really nasty hangover in the morning.

I know that Darrell was an amazing guitar player and many know him just for that. I would have to take a step back every once in a while to see him for that, because that wasn’t how I knew him. I knew him to be a very enthusiastic, generous, animated and one of the funniest guys that just happened to be one of the greatest guitarists of our time. He had a way with people that after you met him, you became a part of his family. We always considered him family and we’re devastated. Heaven definitely has its hands full now that Darrell’s shown up.

Even though I have written this about Dime, I want to send our condolences to the families and friends of the others that were so senselessly taken away from us on Wednesday night.

Scott Ian of Anthrax:

He was larger than life. He used to call me the action figure because of how I move around onstage, and I used to tell him he stepped right out of a comic book. He was just so full of energy and such a strong presence. [As a musician], he had everything just his originality, the riffs he wrote, his tone and what he did with his guitar. He didn’t sound like anybody before him, and nobody could come close to duplicating what he did. That’s the best thing you could say about any musician . . . I’m still kind of stunned. It’s hard for me to believe that this is how his life ended. I don’t know if I’m ready to accept the fact that I’m not gonna go to see him play live and have him obnoxiously shoving drinks down my throat.

’dave Mustaine of Megadeth:

I knew him by wanting to play with him. We had Pantera open for Megadeth in the U.S. and in Europe. When you get to the level of guitar playing that I’m at and that he was at, the air is pretty thin up there . . . Darrell was a really gentle spirit and pretty easygoing guy. Society is looking at this and saying, This is heavy metal. That’s not heavy metal, that’s a random act.

Zakk Wylde of Ozzy Osbourne/Black Label Society:

He was beyond beautiful. When he’d walk in the room, he’d light it up. Fuck the guitar playing he’s right up there with Eddie and Randy and Hendrix. All he wanted to do was make everyone happy. He was the ray of sunshine. Dime will never die ever he’s in my veins. He’s sitting at God’s tavern, having a cold one with Randy Rhoads and Hendrix. Dime was an original.

Jonathan Davis of Korn:

In the Eighties, honestly, I was more into dance music, New Romantic music like Depeche Mode. Vulgar Display of Power totally opened my eyes to a more traditional kind of metal. That made me go, I want to be in a band like this. This is the shit. I really became a huge fan of Pantera, especially with what Darrell did. I ll never forget that trademark fucking flying V guitar of his and his crazy, dyed fucking goatee and insane, undeniable riffs that he wrote that have been copied I don’t know how many fucking times. He was one of the last great, traditional metal guitarists of our day. He was just a legend. It seems like all the great guitar players get taken early.

I remember when Fieldy took me my first Pantera concert, back in 92, 93. We both started breaking out crying because it was so fucking insane, so intense. You just get goose bumps, how badass that shit is . . . I feel numb that that shit can even happen. The metal community is such a tight community, everyone is just feeling it. I feel so fucking bad for his brother because those two were inseparable. I could tell Darrell was so full of fucking life and such a cool guy he was just the life of the party. He knew how to live life to its fullest, took everything in excess and just made life bigger than it is. The guy was so fucking cool.

Sepultura:

We still remember the first time we toured in Texas and this crazy guy came to talk with us about his band Pantera. Later we went on tour with them and had some of the best times of our lives with Dime.

We are really gonna miss [Dime] as a great musician, but [also] a lot as an awesome person.

’dente Preto lives forever.

Ex-Coal Chamber/current Pinata guitarist Miguel Meegs Rascon:

I would just like to take this moment to expess my sorrow to all the people that passed away [Wednesday] night.

I know Dime was a great influence to a lot of people, including myself. He will be missed deeply.

I can personally say I had some of the best times touring with Pantera. Music is something that should be shared with all. We never stop to realize how powerful it can be.

’dime, thanks for all the fun times we had! This drink’s for you!

R.I.P.

Amen/Scum vocalist Casey Chaos:

’dimebag and Vinnie were two of the most generous, down to earth and influential guys American metal will ever know.

’dimebag’s unmistakable lifestyle and larger-than-life spirit changed music forever. His generosity, his music and living life to the fullest was truly inspirational to anyone in any band or anyone alive. I don’t think there is a soul alive that hasn’t been touched by this.

I had the great privilege to be interviewed by Dime and his brother for Headbanger’s Ball just a few months ago. He greeted me with gifts and stories as we talked of a tour together in the near future. Up to that time, we had met on numerous occasions as anyone in a band today does.

To say that we lost a legendary performer is an injustice, for he was truly unique and an incredibly funny guy. His mere presence would light up any room in any country, even if you didn’t understand the language. His lust for life would exude from him, and you felt as if you had just fallen in love. He was so down to earth and generous to the degree that he gave me a present of Crown Royal (Photo) with a handmade label that I have kept on my mantle since then, and there it will remain until my dying day.

At this time, as with anyone who was around him, I have tears in my eyes. I just wish that today those tears were from the laughter due to his exuberant spirit. I remember Larkin [Shannon, ex-Amen and current Godsmack drummer] telling me about him and then showing me the videos and we’d laugh so hard it hurt.

I don’t think the metal community will ever truly recover from this tragic loss. In passing he has left a legacy of music that will remain timeless for future generations to be influenced by. The sound of his work is unmistakable and completely unique. A product of his lifestyle and pure intensity as a writer and a guitarist that was truly his own. Make no doubts about it when it came down to it that on and off stage the man

was the MAN.

He was heavy metal on steroids. What Larry Flynt did for porn is like what Darrell did for guitar playing. Always with a smile on his face he talked the talk and did a hell of a lot more than walk the walk. He was unmistakably a one-of-a-kind human being, above it all a career that was never-ending, which is unheard of in these modern day one-hit-wonder times. He wrote some of the heaviest riffs that metal has ever had the privilege of hearing.

My heart goes out to you, Vinnie, and the family, for I can’t imagine how good life must have been, from the day he was born to the day that some jealous coward does the unthinkable and robs the world of a truly inspirational soul. Now I’m gonna sit back and watch his DVDs and remember a man I wish the world could take lessons from. To me, Dimebag was life with a big heart, a sound bigger than life, and he was happy to share it with you the way he shared his soul with all of us.

For any of us who have had the pleasure of meeting him, I feel we are a hell

of a lot richer from it than those who didn’t. For those of you who didn’t, listen to the music and watch the videos and I am sure you will know what I mean.

I’m keeping this bottle of Crown you gave me, Dime, till we can drink it together again. Thank you to the family for bringing up such a loveable and honorable man. May the world’s grief help to heal the wounds of an irreplaceable loss.

Thank you Darrell from all of us in Amen/Scum.

Thanks for the legacy.

Nine Inch Nail vocalist Trent Reznor:

What a sad time. First Jhon and now Dimebag. Two very different and very great people who will be sorely missed.

U.P.O. bassist Zoltan:

First time I saw Darrell play live, I was in Europe… and it really caught me by surprise… You just had to see this guy play guitar to believe it… He was punishing… Still to this day, that was one of the most solid shows I’ve ever seen… I remember at one point he was jumping off this high riser, and he was looking right at me grimacing with his tongue out while he switched pickups and adjusted his volume in mid air… then hit the floor on cue just in time to step on his pedals… I was so impressed that we rented a car and drove after them to see the next two shows of the tour… He was un-fuckin-believable…

It is beyond words when a lunatic asshole who had nothing positive to give to this world takes down somebody precious, somebody who inspired all of us…

… And to all you concert-goers… Don’t let this asshole take away your music too… There are going to be parents all across the country who won’t let their kids go to see bands… saying that rock or metal is violent or dangerous… But this IS NOT metal… this has nothing to do with metal… John Lennon had nothing to do with metal… This can (and did) happen in a McDonalds, or in a school… You’re still going… Probably Dimebag would be the first to tell you… go see a band today… any band… rock out… that’s your damage plan… one jackass can’t take down all of us…

R.I.P. Dimebag

Megadeth guitarist Glen Drover:

I get a phone-call at 2 o clock in the morning from Dave Mustaine, at which I could barely hear him from his very soft-spoken monotone voice. I knew immediately something was wrong there was. The conversation that transpired was completely unfathomable to me!!!! Among the millions of thoughts racing through my mind, WHY seemed the most prominent question to ask, and still is!!! Musicians possess a special gift providing music for people to ENJOY. It harnesses and evokes so many different emotions for people to grasp happiness, aggression, sadness, whatever the case, in the end it is to entertain the listener, which is a possitive thing. How something this tragic could possibly happen has left all of us at a complete loss. (I usually do not speak for others, but I think it’s justified here)

My love for Pantera has run deep since Cowboys from Hell was first released. What has always remained in my memory is that Pantera was about playing heavy metal, despite what trend was popular at the time. It was always about the MUSIC for those dudes, which to me means everything and is the exact same thought process I apply to music as well.

This is just completely tragic…

Annihilator guitarist Jeff Waters has posted the following message on the group’s official web site:

Not sure what to say. Still in a bit of a state of shock.

I didn’t know Dime very well but always looked up to his incredible riffing and writing. One of the top 10 most important and influential metal guitarists, no doubt.

I wish Vinnie, family and all the band members involved (including Phil Anselmo) all the best and my thoughts go out to every one of them. Certainly ’shock is the best and only way I can describe my feelings at this moment.

Sevendust:

We have lost a dear friend and the world has lost an incredible musician. Our prayers are with Vinnie and the rest of the Abbott family.

Words cannot describe the sorrow we and countless others feel over this tragic loss. The many memories of the times we’ve spent with Darrell will be cherished forever and he will never be forgotten. He and his brother have been more influential to us as a band than any other. We would not sound the way we do if it had not been for them. Many other bands can say the same.

To know your idols and have them as friends is a rarity and we feel blessed to have known and loved Darrell.

’due to this tragedy, we cancelled last night’s show in Jacksonville, N.C. and the radio station having known the details of Darrell’s death should have understood. We were in no shape to perform. Not to mention the venue had not supplied proper insurance.

We apologize to our friends in Jacksonville and regardless of how Rock 105.5 feels about our decision, we hope that you understand. This tragedy has helped put our lives and the lives of our loved ones in perspective.

We love you and be careful.

Murderdolls vocalist Wednesday 13:

It’s 3:31 am here, early Saturday morning in the bible belt of North Carolina. I’m still in shock from the ’dimebag story this week. I honestly did not believe it at first. I didn’t know him personally, but to say I wasn’t touched by his band and style would be lying. This is the most bizarre thing I’ve ever heard of. It’s a sad week for us all in the music world, and all I can ask is why????

I raise a toast in the memory of the fallen…

’danzig bassist Jerry Montano:

I just wanted to say my heart goes out to Vince, Rita, and the entire Pantera/Damageplan family. We lost undoubtfully the greatest metal guitarist of all time and a great friend.

I had the honor of calling [Dimebag] a friend and even bandmember at one time (I was lucky enough to play bass for Dime and Vinnie’s side band Gasoline). I have to say just being next to him while he was playing his guitar was always a sacred experience he was truly unbelievable when it came to his playing, but he really shined when it came to being a friend.

I can remember during reheasal one day or night (who the fuck knows at that point, right?!!) after the four of us finished playing (fourth being my boy Thurber T. Mingus, our singer and friend from the southern metal band Pumpjack). Dime and I were hangin having a few beers in the back. I remember asking him, How the fuck do you do it man!!!? and he looked at me with a very humble look and said, Man, I just close my eyes and it comes right through my body my hands and outta my guitar. I remember him telling me he doesn’t even know what’s gonna come out of him when he records his solos and that it was a gift given to him from god that he never questions.

Truly amazing.

He was THE ONE THE ONLY and there will NEVER be another.

Words like kind, caring, loving, generous amazing, undeniable, compassionate and god-sized are what come to mind when thinking about this kind man I had the privilege of getting to know very well over the years.

And there is the touring we did together … I swear, [it] literally has taken years and years off all of our lives!! GODDAMN! Ozzfest!! Reinventing tour!! Those four months alone almost did me in literally! I remember he was as excited as me when I landed the NOTHINGFACE gig, and gave us the tour immediately!! (Good times). I will never forget one word, one moment, or one note for as long as I exist. EVER.

I just needed to say you ll be greatly missed my brother (I still feel like I am gonna get 4- and 5- and 6-in-the-morning phone calls fom you!!). You will never be forgotten and [you] truly made an impact on my life forever.

So let’s sit back and remember the good times, all the wild and insane times and the quiet cool mellow hung over times, and know the entire world lost a friend and hero. So now he graduates from this life to go on to his destiny as the greatest metal guitarist of all time, a true bonafide LEGEND.

CHEERS to you, my friend!!! I ll see you on the other side. At the great bar in the sky. Until then, you ll forever be in our hearts.

(Just like you always said!) C MON with your C MON!!!

With all my love, respect, admiration… and with great regret, I now say goodbye.

GODS NEVER DIE DIME LIVES

NationalNoise would like to send out condolences to the fans, friends and family of Pantera and Damageplan. There has been a fund setup for the victims of this tragedy to cover bereavement and medical expenses.

The Dimebag Darrell Memorial Fund will be accepting donations through NationalNoise until further notice. Please make checks payable to The Dimebag Darrell Memorial Fund . Send Donations to the mail only address: NationalNoise, 3100 Main #105, Dallas TX 75226

Judas Priest vocalist Rob Halford:

Hello everyone. My deepest condolences go out to everyone affected regarding the passing of Dimebag. His mucianship was superb and his original style was and will remain an inspiration to players worldwide. His friendship can never be replaced.

I first met Dime in 1991. I was in Toronto preparing for the Painkiller tour. I had MuchMusic TV on and saw this guy talking about metal and wearing a British Steel shirt. From what he was saying and the Pantera video that aired I knew right away that this man was a guitar god!

I called MuchMusic and spoke to Dime and that night went to a club and hung with the band. We jammed Metal Gods . From that point on, he and the rest of the band became solid friends. My gut feeling was that this band would be huge.

So Pantera toured with Priest all over Europe. Many a night I would stand off stage and watch them tear up city after city leaving everyone stunned by their intense performances. It was a thrill to watch and hear Dime invent and advance with his playing. Soon the world became Panterarised!

Of course, so much has happened since those early times and I feel that it’s important now that however we take the turn of events in recent years we all stay true to the same belief that Dimebag had about his love of metal, which was to play your heart out and be real wherever you are! Some things that happen in life make no sense at all, but out of pain comes strength, and I know the metal community will take that strength and use it as an enduring memory for Dimebag.

Love never dies.

Former S.O.D./current M.O.D. vocalist Billy Milano:

I can’t express in words the sorrow I feel inside, not just for me but also for Vinnie, Rita, Darrel’s parents his bandmates and friends.

What I can express is how wonderful a person he truly was. Kind and gentle in nature, care-free and loving.

I’m a lucky person to have known [Darrell] as a friend. I want to spend this time remembering him in this spirit rather than dwelling on how he was taken from us or the person who did it.

My heart bleeds for his loved ones.

Ex-Megadeth/current F5 bassist David Ellefson:

Like most of you I couldn’t believe my eyes and ears when I woke up and heard the tragic news of Dime’s passing and the travesty at the Damageplan show in Columbus, Ohio. It is purely beyond belief yet so staggeringly real. I just recently hung out with him and the Damageplan entourage a couple weeks ago when they passed through Phoenix, AZ and as usual they were the coolest.

I first met Dime in 1987 while in a Dallas, TX watering hole where I was introduced to this up-and-coming new band named called Pantera. Dime was a regional guitar hero who went under the name ’diamond Darrell and his band was making some big waves in Texas. That night Darrell raved to me about how Megadeth’s Peace Sells But Who’s Buying album forever changed his life. The next night Pantera played a nearby club and they invited me on stage to jam Peace Sells with them, which was kick-ass! They certainly knew their metal, alright.

A bond was formed between me and the band which as the years passed was always like seeing good friends again. In fact, I remember calling Darrell years ago asking him if he would join Megadeth as we were regrouping before Rust In Peace. However, as cool of a musical fit as that might have been, there was no way anyone could split up the brotherly onslaught of him and Vinnie Paul, nor would you want to!

Years later Pantera played often with Megadeth but I specifically remember a funny incident when we did a show together in Hamburg Germany in the red light district known as the Reeperbahn. Dime’s tour tradition was to get a tattoo in honor of his favorite bands he toured with. Right before the show, he walked into the club and showed us his brand new black-and-white tattoo on his lower leg of a black tooth grin.

We were like, No fucking way, that’s insane! to which he replied, Yeah dad, Black Tooth Grin, just like in Sweating Bullets . Funny thing is I’ve seen other people get that same tattoo over the years, all in honor of Dime, and it always brings a grin to my face remembering how nuts he was to go out and get a tattoo in that part of town in our honor!

In closing, Dime truly lived, breathed and played metal like no other guitar slinger out there. My condolences go out to everyone in his family, the Damageplan camp and those related to the victims at the show. This incident has forever scarred heavy metal but our memories will live forever of the legend we’ve come to know in our brother Dimebag Darrell.

Static-X members Wayne Static and Tripp Eisen:

Wayne Static: It’s taken me several days to gather my thoughts so I could make some sort of statement about Dime. This whole thing is so surreal.

Pantera changed my life as a musician. Dime has always been my absolute favorite guitarist ever.

Static-X did two tours with Pantera and they were the most memorable tours of my career. Recently I’ve been very excited that Dime and Vinnie have carried on with Damageplan, and I was looking forward to hearing many more great albums from them in the future.

The last show Static-X played before entering the recording studio was with Damageplan in Florida. After the show, Dime and I, along with his awesome wife Rita, hung out all night and did plenty of drinking.

I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to get to know Dime, along with his bandmates Vinnie, Patrick, and Bobzilla. Damageplan, their crew, and their friends are some of the best people I’ve ever met. Dime had a huge heart and a pure honesty that made him very cool and unique. He will be missed by everyone.

Tripp Eisen: ’dimebag’s passing has left me stunned. When I think about it throughout the day it hits me like a ton of bricks. The only thing that is justified is that the gunman was shot dead. This horrible event has shaken up all of our worlds.

My heart goes out to Vinnie Paul and everyone who was close to Dimebag Darrell and the other three who were murdered that night.

I got to know him in 2001 during the Extreme Steel Tour, and he is a genuine, super-nice guy. Always smiling and in good spirits. Fun to be around. Plus he was a KISS fan, a Dallas Cowboys fan, and fellow right-wing conservative (all things near to my heart). And of course his immense talent that influenced me 12 years ago when I first became a Pantera fan.

The final Static-X show this year was with Damageplan in Orlando, FL (Oct. 2), and it was a pleasure to hang out with those guys for two nights and watch them play.

’dime will be terribly missed. Hail to a brother of metal, and a super-nice guy. He leaves a musical legacy and his life was an inspiration.

Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine:

’droogies!

Tonight I had the honor and priveledge to host a special [MTV2 Headbanger’s Ball ] tribute to the life of Darrel ’dimebag Abbott.

I went out to NYC Thursday at 9:30 PM on a redeye to do this, and during the period since then, I have had a good amount of time to reflect on my own life.

I realized how fortunate I am, and have been to have met some of you, and in some cases become friends with many of you.

What is bothering me is the people who I have not been able to meet, or worse, have met and ended up not being friends with. There are many.

I would like to, in honor of Darrel’s life, learn from him and how many friends he apparently had made.

Over my career I have a lot of cleaning up to do on my side of the street as well as letting things go, for once and for all; I need to apologize to many people and also to forgive and quit holding grudges.

Having said that, if there is something I did to you or someone you know, please give me the opportunity to make this right.

To Slayer and Metallica: I am sorry for whatever I may have done in the past and wish to make it right, to put it behind us. Please let me know how and when we can talk this out.

To previous bandmembers and managers: I say the same to you.

To all the Megadeth/Metallica fans: from this day forward, there will never be another unkind word from my mouth perpetuating this silly 22-year-old feud.

And to heavy metal fans around the world: I am going to emulate Dimebag by being more like him; more friendly, and more interested in your lives too, I promise.

I am grateful to have been asked to come in this hour of darkness to represent us all as we come together and heal as a worldwide music community, and I would be a fraud if I didn’t say I need to do more to better represent.

Thank you in advance for your forgiveness and for your support.

A public memorial for ’dimebag Darrell Abbott will be held at the Arlington Convention Center in Arlington, Texas on Tuesday, December 14 beginning at 8:00 p.m.

Arlington Convention Center

1200 Ballpark Way

Arlington, TX

(817) 459-5000

THIS IS SAD DAY IN METAL. DIMEBAG WILL BE MISSED BUT NEVER FORGOTTON. [img:62a084b523]http://www.Damageplan.net/600Img_2648.jpg[/img:62a084b523] [img:62a084b523]http://Damageplan.com/Damageplan2.jpg[/img:62a084b523] – said PAUZED on Dec 12, 2004

Is this America? Fuckin way of life… And he will never come back.. [img:94bea4ef35]http://www.vh1.com/shared/media/news/images/p/Pantera/sq_dimebag_darrell_elk.jpg[/img:94bea4ef35] – said Kya on Dec 12, 2004

I knew Darrell very well and could only say what a loss for anyone who’s live he touch in anyway. I played drums in a band called Deciple in the early days of Pantera. We toured with Pantera and can only say how sad and meaningless this is. I can still barely stand to talk about this event and can only express my deepest heartfelt sorrow to his family and friends, I only hope that Vinnie and Rita are doing okay, for I know how close Vinnie and Darrell were, and his love for Rita was unmeasurable. He will truly be missed but never forgotten. I left the music scene years ago but after yesterdays stupid event I have decided to re enter the music scene. Darrell always told me to live for my dreams and I walked away. I will never forget him and his crazy style of living. He is truly a wonderful human and musician. Darrell will always be in my heart and my soul, now he will live through his great music. – said NTXLNGHAIR on Dec 12, 2004

I wonder if we ll smile in our coffins while loved ones Mourn the day, the absence of our faces, living, laughing, Eyes awake. Is this too much for them to take? Too young for ones conclusion, the lifestyle won. Such values you taught your son. That’s how. Look at me now. I’m broken. Inherit my life. I’m broken. One day we all will die, a cliched fact of life. Force fed To make us heed. Inbred to sponge our bleed. Every Warning, a leaking rubber, a poison apple for mingled Blood. Too young for ones delusion the lifestyle cost Venereal Mother embrace the los$. That’s how Look at you now. You’re broken Inherit your life. I’m broken. – said notoriusbug on Dec 12, 2004

From Damon Johnson of Brother Cane: Felt compelled to send some love out to Dime’s family. I’m as stunned by the news as everyone else. Roman and I met Dime and Vinnie at a NAMM show in California in 96. They told us they dug our new album, which at the time was Seeds . When I acted as if I didn’t believe them, Dime started singing the words to Rise On Water , which only someone who had the CD would know. He loved life and lived to play that damn guitar. He was an incredible metal guitarist; but beyond that, he was an incredible fan of music. R.I.P. Darrell. – said Don Wishon on Dec 12, 2004

Jeremy Wiseman here from the band Another Way Of Life out of Jacksonville, FL. http://www.awolmusic.com We are all speechless at the actions involving Dimebag this past week. He was a HUGE influence on all of us in the band and truly revolutionized metal music. This really hits home with us. Dimebag wasnt a friend of ours, we didnt know him, never even met him. He was a BROTHER of ours, thru all the years of outstanding music that came from him and Pantera. I hope he knows that even us little bands out there are feeling the same emotions as every one in the music world. Dimebag, thank you for the incredible inspiration and influence that you gave us all to keep rockin. You truly are a legend and we will all miss you deeply. Our deepest sympathies to the families, friends, and fans of Dimebag. See you on the other side bro!! Another Way Of Life – said awolmusic on Dec 12, 2004

slayer metallica anthrax megadeth. and of corse pantera inspred me to listen to metal my dad first fot me the debut pantera cd signed by dime himself when i was 4 years old i was obssed with it .. my dad lived in paris kentucky and in 1996 (i was 7) there was a bad flood we lost everything and we were going to go to a concert we lost the tickets and out pet cat killer the only thing i wished i had was the cd now i still got to go to the concert we had insurance on the tickets. i had no clue that there was a shoot out my cousin was in columbus at the concert. and i wanted to be there untill i figured out what happend it would of been horrific. to me this would be the 9/11 of metal and of corse my heart rip dime we will miss you always – said slayer_owns_all on Dec 12, 2004

A public memorial for ’dimebag Darrell Abbott will be held at the Arlington Convention Center in Arlington, Texas on Tuesday, December 14 beginning at 8:00 p.m. Arlington Convention Center 1200 Ballpark Way Arlington, TX (817) 459-5000If anyone went to the memorial service please post and let the rest of us know how it went. – said hagardreams on Dec 12, 2004

[img:ab1cb94c95]http://www.angelfire.com/band2/wolvie/images/ShowLetter.jpg[/img:ab1cb94c95] – said PAUZED on Dec 12, 2004

A public memorial for ’dimebag Darrell Abbott will be held at the Arlington Convention Center in Arlington, Texas on Tuesday, December 14 beginning at 8:00 p.m. Arlington Convention Center 1200 Ballpark Way Arlington, TX (817) 459-5000, Pepper Keenan, KITTIE, my buddy Dino (ex-FEAR FACTORY), ALICE IN CHAINS guys… The list is extensive. We finally head into the chapel to the strains of BLACK LABEL SOCIETY being played over the PA system, to find a HEAVILY flowered mass area, with Dime quietly laid out in his KISS coffin!!! Rockin ! As we all try to keep our composure, the services start with Jerry Cantrell and Mike Inez from ALICE IN CHAINS, who come out to play some acoustic ALICE IN CHAINS tunes with another guitar player (whom I didn’t know), and Pat from DAMAGEPLAN singing as well… Very beautiful, not a dry eye in the house!! Next was Zakk’s speech where he told a very funny story about him and Dime drinking over four bottles of Crown (oh, my liver hurts just thinking about it) one day on Ozzfest, and then the two of them waking up in Zakk’s bunk together spooning!!!! Hey, Zakk said it, not me! Next was Charlie Benante’s very moving speech, he told some funny stories and just wanted everyone to remember what a great, funny dude Dime was… Lastly was no other than Eddie Van Halen… who had given Rita (Dime’s wife, pretty much) his actual old black/yellow Charvel for Dime to be buried with. It was pretty surreal!! So after the service ended, they asked if anyone wanted to view Dime one last time, to do so in an orderly fashion. Since i hadn’t been able to make the wake, I wanted to go… so I grabbed Willie and Bo (who was THE HAUNTED’s tour manger on this last tour) to go up with me. I was not prepared for what I was about to see. Dime looked fine, but what I then quickly noticed in the corner of his KISS casket was a small autographed splash cymbal that was put in the coffin 2 days prior… it was mine. I had given this to Dime a day before our tour ended as a memento, because he intially asked me for a pair of my sticks, so I went one better. Needless to say, I lost it… I started crying immediately (and I am right now just thinking about it) and tried to quickly walk away but Vinnie called out to me and came over to console me as best as he could, I saw Pat real quick and gave him a hug, but I had to get out. I only knew this man closely for 5 1/2 weeks, but it felt like a lot more than that. Outside I ran into Rat, who was one of DAMAGEPLAN’s tech’s on this last tour, we exchanged hugs and words, but it was nice to see he was still here. Right as we were about to leave I saw our buddy BEST DUDE… otherwise known as The Kat, Vinnie’s tech. To those who dont know, Kat was shot a few times on that unfortunate night, be looked great in his suit (yeah, imagine that) and he had a drink in his hand and was in good spirits. 5:30 p.m.: Back in the van, first stop, yup you guessed it, THE LIQUOR STORE… Let the buzz begin. We then went to a great seafood restaurant and had a party of about 25 people, shots all over the place, (EVEN WILLIE GEE DRANK 2 SHOTS!) good food, good times and David from DISTURBED paid for all of us! When I thanked him, he said It’s what Dime woulda done! I got plastic that goes for miles!! Dime. Anyways it was nice. 9:00 p.m.: Public memorial service at the Arlington Convention Center, what an event… The highlight was watching Eddie Van Halen taking the mike away from Zakk every time Zakk tried to finish his speech… I couldn’t help but think what he might have done if it wasn’t one of his heroes!!! Anyways, we had a good time remembering Dime for all the good stuff, and we shed more tears as well. 12:30 a.m. or so we got kicked out of the Convention Center, I do a quick interview with Denise and Juliya for Uranium, and then we go back to the hotel bar. By this point I had been paling around with my new comedian buddies Don Jamieson and Jim Flourentine the Terrorizing Telemarketers guys, and some of you may know Jim as Bobby Fletcher and Special Ed from Crank Yankers. Two great dudes, who are big metalheads that brought some laughs at a needed time. 1:30 a.m.: Last call, I cram in a car with Don, Jim, and one of their friends to finish the party out over at Vinnie’s house. We arrive, Rita shows us to the bar, and I commence to go talk drum shit with Mike from DROWNING POOL and my good bud Charlie Benante (yes, there IS going to be a reunion tour w/ Joey shhhh). Jim had to get to the airport so we stayed till about 5 or so… but before leaving I talked with Rita (who seems to be doing really well right now) for awhile about the fact that Dime really liked our band, and really had a great time (Vinnie told me the same) on what turned out to be this final run, I told her I was flattered about the cymbal, and she said It meant a lot to him still in shock over that!! She also said the he adored Jon so that was really nice too! 5:30 a.m.: Drop Jim off at airport and conemplate calling my wife with a Special Ed prank phone call, but we didn’t have time. Next time. 6:00 a.m.: Don drops me off at the hotel, I pop in Shaun from SOIL’s room for one last beer with him, Dino and Tony from STATIC-X. 10:30 a.m.: Willie frantically knocks on my door C mon Sarge you overslept! ) 11:00 a.m.: At the airport with a killer hangover… Worth it for The Idol So as I said, if you got this email, there’s a reason… Go buy a bottle of Crown Royal, pour a double for you, and one for Dime and knock it back… . GETCHA PULL!! and light a candle at Xmas for his memory, he’s in a better place, and he will be missed. I know I miss him. – said PAUZED on Dec 12, 2004

Fuse TV’s Uranium video tribute to late DAMAGEPLAN/ex-PANTERA guitarist ’dimebag Darrell Abbott [url=http://www.fuse.tv/content/uranium/php/videotop.php?sid=&aid=&clip_id=1645] Uranium [/url] – said PAUZED on Dec 12, 2004